With trends like arm-to-table restaurants that only serve the freshest ingredients, and the rise of environmentalist trends which champion the consumption of preservative and chemical-free foods, organic produce has become an increasingly popular choice amongst many consumers. Yet, with the panoply of “facts” and “myths” floating around the Internet, it is often difficult to discern what’s real and what’s not with regards to organic food. To clarify certain misconceptions and find out what’s the real deal with organic food, be sure to check out this list of un-truths that we’ve put together for you.

1. Organic food is healthier

There’s a common misconception that organic foods are more nutritious and healthier compared to conventional foods. While it might be true that certain studies have found that organic foods contain higher nutritional content, the reason for this is not often explained. Organic foods are deemed healthier not because of the inherent composition of such foods, but because of the absence of pesticides and chemicals, which have been found to induce a whole host of health problems including headaches, cancer, and birth defects.

2. Organic food is unaffordable

While most instances of organic foods could cost 20 to 100 percent more than conventional food, it is not universally true that they are completely unaffordable. In some cases, organic food may even cost less than non-organic food, depending on the type of produce you’re planning on getting and the location from which you are purchasing your groceries. For instance, the price difference between organic and conventional foods such as rice and flour in the dry goods department is minimal. Purchasing these goods from farmer’s markets or directly from growers is also cheaper than hunting for them in your local supermarket. There are a ton of ways to get your hands on affordable organic produce – as long as there’s a will, there will always be a way!

3. Organic food tastes better/worse than conventional food

There are many individuals who have claimed that organic food is distinctive from conventional food in terms of taste. However, this is extremely subjective as it is very much dependent on personal preference. In fact, there are several taste tests which have revealed that the average person is unable to tell the difference between organic and convention foods. In this sense, there is no definitive measurement of how good or how bad organic food tastes in comparison to non-organic food, and it really depends on you to decide which one is more platable.

4. Organic food is just a marketing gimmick

The cynic in most of us would have likely made the above argument at one point or another; after all, just how different can food be? If it’s edible, it should be more or less similar, right? Well, this isn’t actually the case. There are many proven health benefits to adhering to an organic-based diet, such as boosts in the immune system and greater cardiovascular protection. Additionally, opting for organic foods also demonstrates a commitment to protecting the environment, as organic farming does not involve the use of harmful chemicals. Purchasing organic foods also indicates a dedication to safeguarding animal welfare, which is one of the most important aspects of organic farming. That being said, it is indisputable that there are certain organisations which overhype the benefits of consuming organic food in a bid to improve their sales, so you’ll just need to use your discretion and remain judicious in this regard.

As with most scientific-based news and projects, research on organic food is an ongoing process that is constantly being updated. In order to determine what is accurate and what is fallacious when it comes to information on organic foods, it is important to keep updated by constantly reading up on the latest research findings. Alternatively, you could speak with friends who are either fans or critics of organic foods to grasp a fuller and more comprehensive understanding of the pros and cons of going organic!